'I have had to learn to walk again' - Loftus-Cheek opens up on journey to recovery

Chelsea star Reuben Loftus-Cheek has for the first time opened up on the severe injury he suffered towards the end of last season.

The 23-year-old is still recovering from the injury, which he suffered in a friendly match against New England Revolution in May that saw him miss the Europa League final match against Arsenal.

The Englishman has now revealed the struggle he has gone through, including 'learning to walk again' following the injury.

“I have had to learn to walk again. As soon as I came out of my cast, I could barely lift my heel off the ground in a sitting position. To lift my leg up took maximum effort."

“The big side of injuries is the mental side of it, so I had to stay positive and keep the right mindset. Even a tweet or a message from a fan makes a big difference to me,"

“I have actually had a few setbacks that have put me behind which has been quite frustrating. I have only just got pain free but for sure I am going to come back stronger, sharper and do whatever I can to be in better shape.”

“I have been at home with my mum, two brothers and my sister, they needed to look after me a lot, it was hard getting around in my cast. It was quite fun getting my sister to make me food all the time! My family have been fantastic through that period,"

“Before I got injured I was playing my best football. I have missed feeling tired from running, from hard work, that feeling of being in a game again. Everything I have been working towards is for the feeling of stepping back onto that pitch again and I am ready to go.”

Loftus-Cheek enjoyed a superb campaign last season, scoring ten goals in what was arguably the best season in a Chelsea jersey.